Refrigerator door construction



y 1957 R. JANSEN 2,799,901

REFRIGERATOR DOOR CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 15, 1954 s Shets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

I R BERT JANSEN. BY 44. 45 4341 WLATTORNEYS.

, July 23, 1957 R. A. JANSEN 2,799,901

REFRIGERATOR DOOR CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 15, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

BY SEA;

July 23, 1957 R. A. JANsEN 2,799,901

REFRIGERATOR DOOR CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 15, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I,I3 I4 II Ii g 5 INVENTOR.

- ROBERT'A. J us L.

W4 Al ATTORNEYS REFRIGERATOR DOQR CONTRUCTIQN Appiication December 15,1954, Serial No. 47 5,452

Gaines. (Cl. 20-35) The present invention relates to a refrigerator and,more particularly, to an improved door for a refrigerator.

The invention relates more specifically to a door having an outer shelland an inner liner both formed from sheet metal. As will be describedcompletely in this specification, the liner and shell when assembledhave great strength and are free from twisting and significantdeflection under load.

A breaker strip of low thermal conductivity is provided between theshell of the door and the liner to minimize heat transfer therebetween.The breaker strip is not relied upon for strength purposes and, throughthe unique construction disclosed in this specification, is attached toboth shell and liner in such a way as to accommodate sizable differencesin thermal expansion as well as dimensional variations incidental tomass production. Despite the relative movement possible between thebreaker strip and the associated door components, the breaker strip isfirmly mounted and clamps a resilient gasket securely in positionadjacent the edges of the door.

Due to the overall construction of the refrigerator door set forth, itis possible to straighten twisted door components, such as the outershell, after the basic components of the door have been assembled. inthis way, fabrication of a strong, fiat door which will seal properlywith the refrigerator cabinet is assured.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that a broad object ofthe present invention is the provision of an improved refrigerator door.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a door that can befabricated by mass production methods and is not critical with respectto minor dimensional variations.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an improved doorconstruction incorporating relatively rigid inner and outer componentswhich may be selectively fastened together to fabricate a fiat, strong,durable door.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of improvedmounting means for securing a breaker strip to a refrigerator doorwhereby the breaker strip and door components may move relative to eachother to accommodate differential thermal expansions.

Another advantage of the invention is the design of improved springclips used for holding the breaker strip in place. These clips aredesigned to be removably attached to the breaker strip so thatthebreaker strip may be handled without loss of clips during assembly.

A feature of the invention is the design of the breaker strip whereby anassociated gasket is clamped snugly to the refrigerator door and is heldsubstantially parallel to the edges of the door.

The novel features that I consider characteristic of my invention areset forth in the appended claims; the invention itself, however, both asto its organization and method of operation, together with additionalobjects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from thefollowing description of a specific embodiment when read in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

rates Patent Figure 1 shows to a reduced scale a perspective view of arefrigerator having a door of the improved type including the teachingof this invention;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken on plane 22 of Figure 6 showingthe breaker strip in cross section and the spring clips for securing itto the door;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on plane 3--3 of Figure 6showing one corner of the inner door liner adjustably secured to theouter shell of the door;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on plane 44 of Figure 2showing one of the spring clips for securing the outer edge of thebreaker strip to the door;

Figure 5 is a view taken on plane 5-5 of Figure 2 showing the type ofspring clip used for securing the inner edge of the breaker strip to thedoor; and

Figure 6 is an elevational view of the assembled door.

Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown a refrigerator cabinet,generally designated 1, to which an access door 2 is hingedly secured,as at 3. The refrigerator cabinet includes a freezer section 4 and anupper evaporator 5 which extract heat from the cabinet so thatcomestibles may be stored under refrigerated conditions.

The access door comprises an outer shell, generally designated 6, and aninner liner 7. Secured to the inner liner may be a plurality of shelves3 as well as a storage compartment 9 for butter and similar foods. Awater tank 10 may be provided at the top of the door.

Extending between outer shell 6 and liner 7 is a thermal breaker strip11 which may be made from high impact polystyrene. Other materials ofrelatively low thermal conductivity may be used, as is well-known tothose versed in the art. In addition to improving the appearance of thedoor and giving it a finished look, the breaker strip impedes heattransfer between the shell and liner.

A resilient gasket 12 surrounds the edge of the door and bears insealing relationship against the refrigerator cabinet when the door isclosed. As wiil be discussed fully later in this specification, breakerstrip 11 also clamps the gasket evenly and securely in seaiingrelationship against door shell 6.

Attention is now directed to Figure 6 which shows additional structuraldetails. As illustrated in this figure, the four corners of the outershell 6 are reinforced by integrally welded gussets 13. Such gussets areshown at the upper and lower corners of the door Where the breaker striphas been broken away to reveal the construction more clearly.

The inner liner 7 of the door defines a relatively deep recess toaccommodate the food shelves 8. The deep drawn formation of the recessgives the liner, which may be made from sheet metal, considerablestrength. The strength of the liner is further increased by theprovision of flanges 14 which surround the liner and which join atenlarged corners 15 which overlie the gussets 13 of the outer shell. Abolt 16 at each corner of the liner secures it to an associated gusset.

The attachment of the liner and shell can be better understood byreference at this time to Figure 3. This figure shows gusset 13 to whicha threaded nut 17 is rigidly attached, as at 18. Corner 15 of the lineris spaced slightly from the gusset by a plastic washer 19. Bolt 16clamps the corner of the liner, washer, and gusset securely together.

A couple of washers are shown at 26. The washer immediately adjacent theliner may also be made of plastic, the plastic washer 19 as well as thisplastic washer combining to reduce heat transfer between the liner andthe gusset. Attention is called at this time to slot 21. A similar slotis provided in each of the lower corners of the liner for a purpose tobe described more fully later in this specification. Slots need not beprovided in the 3 7 upper corners of the liner but rather relativelysnug holes should be provided for upper bolts 16.

Returning to a consideration of Figure 6, it will be noted thatelongated slots 22 and 23 are formed in inturned flange 24 of the outershell, andflange .14lof the inner liner. These slots extend parallel tothe adjacent edges of the members in which they are formed and receivespring clips which hold the breaker strip 11 to the door,

as will now be explained.

The breaker. strip mounting is best shown in Figure 2. Flanges 14 and 24of the liner and'shell, respectively,

are shown in cross section, the section being taken dithe breaker strip.Retainer portion 29 of the clip is received in a slot 31 formed in theedge of the breaker strip (see Figures 2 and 4). The clip may further beconfined in its movements relative to the breaker strip by groove 32 andpocket 33 formed on the underside of the breaker strip. A small springdetent 34 is formed on the spring clip and is received by pocket 33. Inthis manner the spring clip is kept in engagement with the breaker stripduring the assembly operation.

The cross section of the gasket is also illustrated in Figure 2.Attention is called to the presence of an integral rib 35 formedon thegasket and engaged behind a longitudinal ridge '36 formed at the outeredge of the breaker strip. The ridge 36 engages behind the rib 35 andthe ridge is pulled against web 37 of the gasket by the resilient forceof spring clip when it is fully engaged with slot 22, as shown in Figure2. V

7 Attention is now directed to the formation of spring clip 26 which isessentially U-shaped, one leg of the-U being received in a slottedplastic projection 38 formed adjacent the inner edge of the breakerstrip. The projection 38 passes through slot 23 and supports the springclip 26 in resilient'engagement with flange 14.

The spring clip includes a wide head portion 39 with prongs 40 inengagement with the slots 41 of projection 33. See Figures 2 and 5. Inthis way, the spring clip is prevented from coming off of the breakerstrip.

The other leg of the spring clip is bent slightly at 42 defining aninclined portion 43 which bears against one edge of slot 23, tending todraw the breaker strip against the face of flange 14. A planar area 44is formed on the breaker strip to assure that no portion of slot 23 willbe visible.

With particular reference to Figures 4 and 5, it will be noted thatspring clip 25 and projection 38 have relatively great longitudinalclearance in their respective slots. Thus, the breaker strip and itsassociated spring clips may execute relatively large movementsincidental to temperature change without setting up any severe stressesin the breaker strip. The clearance of these'members in their slots issuch that relative movement is accommodated in a direction parallel tothe larger dimensions of the breaker strip.

To illustrate, attention is again invited to Figure 6 showing thedisposition of a plurality of slots 22 and 23 in 24. As also illustratedin this figure, the slots extend 'parallel t o the major lineardimensions of the breaker strip. It is parallel to these dimensions thatthe major 4 difierential movements incidental to temperature chang maybe expected.

No spring clips are provided immediately adjacent the corners of theshell or liner since at these points the differential movements to whichthe breaker strip may be subjected may combine to shift slightly thecorner of the breaker strip and restraint at this point may set upsevere stresses.

Not only is the present design excellently adapted to compensate forthermal changes, it is excellently suited for mass production methods inwhich dimensional variations are always present. As illustrated inFigure 2, clearance is provided at 440! between the edge of the breakerstrip and the spring clip 25 to permit relative changes of positionincidental to manufacturing variations. Thus, considerable change oftransverse position of the breaker strip may be accommodated withoutsacrifice of strength or secureness of attachment of the breakor stripand gasket to the door.

To fully appreciate the nature of this invention, it must be understoodthat the strength of the door assembly results from the box structure ofthe combined shell and liner. The breaker strip in no way contributes tothe strength of the door. In prior art constructions in which the doorliner and breaker strip are made unitary, relative movement between thebreaker strip and the door shell cannot normally be tolerated since thebreaker strip is relied upon for strength purposes. The only way ofavoiding this is by internal bracing of the door which is relativelyexpensive and complicated. By virtue of the present invention, however,the liner and breaker strip being separately formed, the liner may berelied upon for strength purposes and the breaker strip may moverelative to both the door shell and liner, thereby completely avoidingany serious stresses in the breaker strip.

During assembly the door shell and liner are first bolted together atthe four corners. The two upper corners are securely bolted whereas thelower corners are only lightly secured together. The breaker strip, withspring clips and gasket in position, is then forced against the shelland liner, the various spring clips engagingtheir receiving slots anddrawing the breaker strip securely against the door. Simultaneously, thegasket is clamped to the door and is positioned by the ridge 36 of thebreaker strip.

The door is then checked for flatness. Should it be found that it has aslight twist, a torque is applied to the lower portion of the door torestore it to a planar condition. The lower bolts, not beingfully'tightened, will permit this operation and will hold the door whenmoved to a planar position. Thereafter, the lower bolts are securelytightened and the door will retain indefinitely a perfectly true, flatform ideally suited for sealing with the refrigerator cabinet.

Since the lower corner bolts are tightened after the assembly of thedoor, plastic caps 45 are provided in the breaker strip opposite thelower corner bolts. These caps can be snapped into the breaker strip asthe final assembly operation.

During straightening of the door, slight relative movement will occurbetween the lower corners ofthe liner and the lower gussets of the door.Slots 21 (see Fig. 3)

permit this movement and are desirably aligned with the a well as theedge clearance at 44a, will accommodate such movement. The importance ofsuch freedom of movement will be understood when it is remembered thatthe In this way, alignment problems of fasteners passing through thegasket are avoided.

The various features and advantages of the design and constructiondisclosed are thought to be clear from the foregoing description.Various other features and advantages not specifically enumerated willundoubtedly occur to those versed in the art, as likewise will manyvariations and modifications of the preferred embodiment of theinvention illustrated, all of which may be achieved without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having described a preferred embodiment of my invention, I claim:

1. In a refrigerator door, an outer sheet metal shell including a flangeextending inwardly from each edge thereof, an inner liner nested withinsaid shell and including a flange extending outwardly from each edgethereof towards said first mentioned flanges, said flanges of said linerbeing joined at the corners thereof, gussets rigidly secured to thecorners of said shell, said corners of said liner overlying said gussetsand being secured thereto, said flanges defining a plurality ofelongated slots extending parallel to the length of said flanges, abreaker strip extending between said flanges of said shell and liner,projections formed on said breaker strip for engaging the slots of saidflanges on said liner, a plurality of spring clips releasably secured tothe outer edge of said breaker strip in position to resiliently engagethe slots in said flanges of said shell, a plurality of spring clipsengaged with said projections of said breaker strip in position toresiliently engage the slots in said flanges of said liner, thelongitudinal extent of said spring clips and said proiections being lessthan the length of said slots in said flanges whereby relative movementbetween said breaker strip and said flanges is permitted incidental todifierential thermal expansion.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 and, in addition, a resilient gasketsurrounding the outer edge of said breaker strip and clamped therebyagainst said flanges of said shell.

3. In combination in a refrigerator door, an outer shell including aflange extending inwardly from each edge thereof, an inner linerincluding a flange extending outwardly from each edge thereof towardssaid first mentioned flanges and spaced laterally therefrom, the cornersof said liner being secured to said shell, said flanges defining aplurality of elongated slots extending parallel to the length of saidflanges, a breaker strip extending between said flanges of said shelland liner, and a plurality of spring clips attached to said breakerstrip and resiliently engaged with the sides of said slots whereby saidbreaker strip is firmly secured to said shell and liner, said clipsbeing smaller in longitudinal extent than the slots whereby said breakerstrip may sustain differential thermal expansion relative to said shelland liner without damage.

4. In combination in a refrigerator door, an outer shell, an innerliner, said shell and liner being formed of sheet metal and beingadjustably connected at the corners thereof to permit straightening ofthe door after assembly, said liner being nested Within said shell anddefining an air space therebetween, a plurality of elongated slots insaid liner and shell, a plurality of spring clips movably and releasablyengaged in the slots, a breaker strip spanning the air space and movablyengaged with certain of said spring clips whereby movement of saidbreaker strip relative to said shell and liner incidental to thermalexpansion and straightening is possible.

5. In combination in a refrigerator door, an outer shell, an innerliner, said shell and liner being formed of sheet metal and beingconnected together at the corners thereof, said liner being nestedwithin said shell with the adjacent edges defining an air spacetherebetween, a plurality of elongated slots adjacent the edges of saidliner and shell, said slots being formed parallel to the edges, abreaker strip spanning the air space, spring clips fixedly engaged withsaid breaker strip and movably and releasably engaged with the slots ofsaid liner, and spring clips adjustably engaged with said breaker stripand movably and releasably engaged with the slots of said shell.

Philipp June 23, 1953 Morton Jan. 12, 1954

